Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'
SKU
06427
A popular drought tolerant grass that forms a tidy, dense clump of purplish maroon blades topped with rose-red plumes. Beautiful as a landscape specimen or planted in groups. Unlike the species, this cultivar does not reseed. An herbaceous perennial grass in mild winter regions; provides quick annual color in any climate.
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Full sun
Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat or containers.
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| Botanical Pronunciation | pen-i-SEE-tum se-TAY-see-um RU-brum |
|---|---|
| Lore | While the species Pennisetum setaceum is considered invasive to California, selective plant breeding has resulted in attractive cultivated varieties that are seedless or do not produce viable seed, including Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum', 'Fireworks' and 'Skyrocket'. These three cultivars are non-invasive and safe for California gardening efforts. |
| Average Size at Maturity | Moderate growing; reaches 2 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide. |
| Bloom Time | Summer through Fall |
| Design Ideas | This is without a doubt the most gorgeous Fountain Grass. Growing to four feet tall, its bronzed foliage is beautiful throughout the season, not just in autumn. It is indispensable for dry stream beds and a lovely fluffy accent in dry gardens. Provides wildlife habitat around water holes and ponds, and adds its billowy character to homegrown meadows. Makes a great erosion-control plant on slopes, both cut and fill. Equally at home in big Southwestern ceramic pots or classical Italian terra cotta on posts and walls, or ganged around entries, steps and gateways. Try three or four matched potted specimens spaced evenly on steps or line them against a bare, light colored stucco wall. |
| Deciduous/ Evergreen | Herbaceous |
| Flower Color | Red |
| Foliage Color | Purple |
| Garden Style | Contemporary, Cottage, Rustic |
| Growth Habit | Narrow |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Landscape Use | Border, Container, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Rock Garden, Specimen, Cutting Garden, Wildlife Garden, Urban Garden |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Soil Needs | All-Purpose Plant Food |
| Special Feature | Clump Forming, Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Naturalizes Well, Tolerates Poor Soils, Waterwise |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Watering Needs | Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat or containers. |
| Companion Plants | Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia); Aster (Aster); Potentilla (Potentilla); Coneflower (Echinacea); Salvia (Salvia); Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum) |
Adaptable to most soil types. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Cut foliage back to 4 inches above the ground just before new shoots appear in late winter to early spring.
This Plant's Growing Zones: 2-11
Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:
Your climate may be too cold for this plant